Knee decisions — 2020

Service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability but denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right and left hip disorders, as well as right and left knee disorders, all secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence. Additional opinions are needed from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left leg condition (left tibia and/or fibula fracture), and sleep apnea due to incomplete development. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. The Board finds that the record does not establish entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases in the Board's decision. The case is now back with the Board for further development.

An increased rating of 10 percent for a left knee disability is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, umbilical hernia, right knee, and left foot disabilities were previously denied but are now reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient verification of his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The issues remain in a pending state.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms will be considered in the new evaluations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right hip, and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to his in-service noise exposure but more evidence is needed for a definitive conclusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to the need for additional VA examinations. The issues are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence collection. Specifically, a new VA examination is required for his left knee disability, cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities, back condition, right ankle sprain, and left ankle sprain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and osteomyelitis were denied as new and material evidence was not received within the one-year appeal period. The Board also found that residuals of a right leg amputation below the knee and left leg amputation below the knee are not related to active duty service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and osteomyelitis were denied as new and material evidence was not received within the one-year appeal period. The Board also found that residuals of a right leg amputation below the knee and left leg amputation below the knee are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's right foot disability has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lower back disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence added since the last decision. The Veteran's right knee condition is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and failure to show for VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide cooperation in obtaining his VA treatment records and undergo VA examinations to determine if any right knee disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, and whether a low back disability is related to service or secondary to the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for limitation of flexion and extension of his right knee due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues have been remanded for further evaluation.